FEMALE NEWBIE NEEDS EQUIP Advice with $7500 BUDGET

[rruthlyn]

All,

I am a female newbie not familiar with a lot of "tech terms" and "slang". I need some equip advice for a home theatre that I am currently building in my basement.

The size of the room is 22x11. This room will be used primarly to view movies. I have spent countless hours, reading and researching products along with project reviews.

Here is what I am considering based upon my small budget or around $7,500.

The projector - EPSON 3020 E (really want 3D)

The Blu Ray DVD Player -- Pioneer BDP 140 (3D)

Speakers -- Onkyo HTS 7500 or 9400 (Home Theatre In Box) see below

What screen would you recommend? Need size 100-110 inches.

Can you receommend speakers that will go behind the screen? This is what I would prefer for a better cosmetic look.


Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Ruth.

 

[brianedm]

All,

I am a female newbie not familiar with a lot of "tech terms" and "slang". I need some equip advice for a home theatre that I am currently building in my basement.

The size of the room is 22x11. This room will be used primarly to view movies. I have spent countless hours, reading and researching products along with project reviews.

Here is what I am considering based upon my small budget or around $7,500.

The projector - EPSON 3020 E (really want 3D)

The Blu Ray DVD Player -- Pioneer BDP 140 (3D)

Speakers -- Onkyo HTS 7500 or 9400 (Home Theatre In Box) see below

What screen would you recommend? Need size 100-110 inches.

Can you receommend speakers that will go behind the screen? This is what I would prefer for a better cosmetic look.


Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Ruth.

Any speakers will be able to go behind the screen. You'll just need to get an acoustically transparent screen. With a $7500 budget you probably don't need to go with a HTIB. Other people here are much better at the speaker recommending game than I am. Best thing for a projector set up is to keep the room as dark as possible with paints, even the ceiling. If possible install lots of directional lighting above you on dimmers that can be customized for movie/tv times.

 

[zieglj01]

For some good speakers behnd the screen
Look at the Boston BT series speakers
CatId=HomeAudio(BostonAcoustics_US)&SubCatId=BT(BostonAcoustics_US)&Pid=BT1(BostonAcoustics]Boston Acoustics US[/url])

Boston Acoustics - BT1 High Performance LCR Speaker [BT1] - $750.00

Boston Acoustics - BT2 High Performance LCR Speaker [BT2] - $1,200.00

At Boston on-line the BT1 is $479 > the BT2 is $799 > under search site,
type BT1 or BT2
Boston Acoustics US)

AC4L, does have one each in stock
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSBT1/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-BT1-LCR-Loudspeaker-Each/1.html
http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/item/BOSBT2/BOSTON-ACOUSTICS-BT2-3-Way-LCR-Speaker-w/Dual-8-Inch-Woofers/1.html

Power Sound Audio, is a good sub option > XS15
POWER SOUND AUDIO — XS15

Also HSU subwoofer
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-3mk4.html

Look at Denon 3312 receiver
http://www.amazon.com/Denon-AVR3312CI-Integrated-Surround-Receiver/dp/B004Z50L6E

 

[jliedeka]

Home Theater magazine reviews screens and they have some beginner type information about what to look for. Projection Screen Reviews | Home Theater

I would discourage you from getting a home theater in a box solution. If you have to, the Onkyo systems are probably the best but they won't approach the quality of a receiver/speakers/subwoofer system that uses higher quality parts. My biggest problem with HTIBs is the smallish subwoofer you get. They tend toward one-note bass and don't dig very deep.

I know a good projector and screen will take a big bite out of your budget but there are some good sounding affordable speakers available. For the size of your space, you could get by with a relatively modest sized receiver, as well.

Jim

 

[BMXTRIX]

There are some questions that need to be answered:

1. Are you planning to install all of this yourself, or will you need to pay someone to do the installation on this?

2. In-wall speakers won't sound as good as floor standing, but you get very good looking final results using decent 8" 3-way in-wall speakers. I've used the ones from Monoprice with very good results in a entry-level setup.

3. If you do save money by using in-wall speakers, don't get a cruddy subwoofer - get a good subwoofer no matter what!

4. The article on Home Theater's website on screens is decent. The screens they show are completely stupid. For an acoustically transparent screen, you go to Seymour AV | Welcome and get a screen from them. Fixed frame is cheaper and higher quality. Get a 16:9 (1.78) screen. Screen size should be about 9" of diagonal for every foot of viewing distance. So, at 12' viewing, about 106" to 110" of diagonal is proper.

5. The Epson 3020 is a great entry level projector. It has no lens shift, but has solid 2D and 3D performance with good brightness. I would go with a hard wired HDMI connection every day of the week unless you absolutely can't run the cable in the wall (how will you get power there then???)

6. If you intend to do home theater, then a coat of DARK PAINT in the room is the single biggest improvement factor you can do within the room.

Assuming: 12' viewing distance...
Epson 3020 projector - $1,600 - Epson Home Cinema 3020 Epson Projectors

Seymour AV - 109" diagonal 16:9 screen (acoustically transparent) - $1,100

Chief RPMAU projector mount: $160 (eBay/etc.)

35' HDMI cable (monoprice) - $40 - For only $35.78 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 35ft 22AWG CL2 Standard HDMI® Cable - Black | Professional 22AWG HDMI Standard Speed Male to Male Cables

5 (or 7) matching 8" 3-way in-wall speakers - Monoprice - $340 total - For only $78.59 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 8 Inches Kevlar 3-Way High Power In-Wall Speaker (Pair) - 100W Nominal, 200W Max | 8 Inches In-Wall / In-Ceiling Speakers

SVS 13" subwoofer - $1,300 - SB13-Ultra - SVS

Speaker wire - Monoprice 12 gauge - $80 (250 feet) - For only $75.22 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 250ft 12AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud Speaker Cable (For In-Wall Installation) | 12AWG Loud Speaker Cables

Denon A/V receiver - 2313CI - $600 - DENON AVR-2313CI 7.2 4K & 3D Pass Through Networking Receiver | Accessories4less

Blu-ray Player - Panasonic DMP-BDT220 - $100 - Amazon.com: Panasonic DMP-BDT220 Integrated Wi-Fi 3D Blu-ray DVD Player: Electronics

HDMI cables - Monoprice $10 or so per cable.

That's about $5,400 total - leaving you money for painting and installation and a GOOD universal remote control. If you want your wiring done behind walls, etc. then it leaves you money for repairing drywall and getting the room painted properly. Good stuff!

 

[rruthlyn]

Wow!~ Awesome Tips!
Thanks so much!

I am looking to hire someone to complete the install.

I have heard that the Epic Empire is a good option for sub-woofer. What do you think? What sub-woofer would you recommend?

 

[brianedm]

Wow!~ Awesome Tips!
Thanks so much!

I am looking to hire someone to complete the install.

I have heard that the Epic Empire is a good option for sub-woofer. What do you think? What sub-woofer would you recommend?

the sb13-ultra already recommended is a fantastic sub. Can't go wrong with anything by SVS or HSU.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would not go with a HTIAB with that kind of budget, I would be looking into dual subs and a decent 5 channel system with a decent avr and an external 3 ch amplifier...

Im thinking you are going to spend around $3000 on your screen, projector, and bluray leaving you with $4500 for audio{I think I didnt check prices but I think that projector is around $1700, screen 1200 and $100 for blu ray}?




5.2.1 system for $3249 that will give you dual subs, plus with the package deal you get the midbass module for free its a lot of stuff for a little over $3K Ultimate Packages
$600 XPA-3 | 200W x 3 | Emotiva Audio | High-end audio components for audiophiles and videophiles, spanning 2-channel music systems, as well as 5.1 and 7.1 home theaters. Products include multichannel amplifiers, stereo amplifiers, and monoblock amplifier this will power your front 3 and keep the avr from having to power everything...

Leaves you with around $500 for an avr, onkyo 809, pioneer 1222k, denon 3312 there are a lot of options....

 

[manwithnocape]

I have really expensive taste, so Im probably not the best for "what" to buy, but I know "how" to buy... as far as products go, there will always be opportunity to get better gear later on.

one thing i've learned is that there is no substitute for listening to speaker systems before you buy. take the time to shop, go to studios, and ask questions. there is a multitude of info on this forum and tons of guys/gals that are very knowledgeable.

whatever product you decide to go with, make sure that the company you buy from has a customer friendly return policy I just will not buy anything unless I can put it in my house, run it for 15 days, and return it if i don't like it.

check out some of the other threads for technical information and how to set up your system.

the manufacturers that i have had success with are: Funk Audio, Epson, Samsung, KEF, JTR, Emotiva, CSS (for do it yourself stuff), Sony, Pioneer, Focal, and a few others in there. Denon was good sometimes, but not all the time.

Subwoofer recommendations: i would buy the 18.0C or the 18.1 by Funk Audio, i've heard them both and they are fantastic!! although Funk is regarded as more for the hardcore audiophile. i own a 18.0 and i know what the thing is capable of... Tintin on bluray in dts is killer. you can go with a JTR, good sub, honest company, but they lack in the looks department.

one thing that i missed learning about when i started getting into hifi was cables... you can spend truck loads of money on cables when there are better options than Monster cables. true, there is a difference in the quality of cables, but the equipment you are running can only transmit and receive so much information per second... so buy according to your gear. and to do that takes research and diligence.

as far as acoustics and sound goes, you are better off spending an extra grand on getting your media room nicely treated for sound performance... as one wise audiophile said "a speaker will only sound as good as the room it is in." ie: bad acoustics = bad sound, not matter what speaker you are running. i know this to be true, because i have heard some mediocre sound equipment sound fairly good when in a room with good acoustics, and when the conditions are that much better, you will be inclined to enjoy yourself that much more.

Best of luck and happy shopping

 

[zieglj01]

I have heard that the Epic Empire is a good option for sub-woofer. What do you think? What sub-woofer would you recommend?

Already recommended in post #3

Also Rythmik and SVS make good subs.

 

[jostenmeat]

Hello Ruth. I just want to add a few wrinkles to BMX's excellent help. In wall speakers actually have some interesting benefits, such as being more efficient with lower frequencies because there is no "baffle diffraction step"; the wall prevents energy from escaping to behind the speakers (when the wavelengths start getting longer). OTOH, they may not image as well; for instance you don't have freedom in dialing in the amount of toe-in.

If you do in-walls you can keep more of your room volume. A different option play is to set up a false wall, which is extremely basic as far as framing goes. Cover the most of it with cheap speaker cloth (even JoAnns sells that).

Dark paint is key, but make sure it is also matte/flat. Paints should have some sort of grade on them that lets you know how it does in that regard. You can also compare candidates by painting samples on a board, and angling it around under a direct light. You will know immediately*. If black is okay, I would check out Rosco #6003, it may seem more expensive, but I think you're supposed to dilute it. As for most other candidates, a $25 bucket of properly chosen paint combined with a $2k projector will blow away an $8k projector in a room with white walls everywhere. You lose contrast at an exponential rate with the increase of ambient light.

One little red flag for me personally is that I don't think the Denon has preouts so that I can an amp later. I personally would alter that choice, but as you probably already know, many decisions including those in the AV world are personal!

I concur with the choice of Seymour fabric, however check out Jamestown as well at a lower price. I believe they are offering Seymour fabrics now on their frames. (Please report back here on pricing after you contact them?) Is it really only $219; can't be, my Seymour DIY fabric cost about that much all by itself, but it's definitely worth looking into. I believe people originally started buying these prebuilt frames, then fabric from Seymour, as a compromise: much easier than full DIY, but still cheaper than "OEM". Then I think they just figured it out; let's just sell it in combination.

110" Projector Screen - Home Theatre Projection Screens - Jamestown Home Theater Screen

I concur with everything else in his post that I can see.

As for the post regarding two subs, I cannot concur at this budget. You can always add one later. You cannot add to the quality of other selected items without outright replacing them, however.

 

[zieglj01]

One little red flag for me personally is that I don't think the Denon has preouts so that I can an amp later. I personally would alter that choice, but as you probably already know, many decisions including those in the AV world are personal!

The Denon 3312 has pre-outs, if one chooses this option.

 

[lsiberian]

I suggest finding a good local installer if you are not tech savvy. If you are good with technical stuff installing a basic home theater isn't too hard.

If you have someone capable of handling it an IB sub would let you hide the sub while actually improving your bass. You'd need an Attic, a large neighboring room. The installer would need to cut a hole in the wall or ceiling large enough for the baffle holding the subwoofer, but given you are already making cuts for the in-walls it's definitely worth a look.

 

[sholling]

I would not go with a sealed sub in a home theater. Instead I'd go with a good ported sub from Rythmik or SVS. A ported sub will hit the low notes harder giving you more grab you and shake you low bass. The one below may be overkill so I'd call and talk to them.

PC12-PLUS - SVS

 

[manwithnocape]

these links is where i learned the most. thought it might help you out too.

Subwoofers - Audioholics Home Theater Forums
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/37001-subwoofer-terminology.html
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/subwoofers/35455-myths-about-subwoofers.html

GranteedEV is super smart dude and i learned a ton from reading his posts (he's on this forum, look him up).


and this is where i learned all about subwoofer technology and design.
Data-Bass

data bass will give you raw information to make sound decisions. i know we are all chiming in with our opinions and they have their place, but ultimately you are the one who gets to spend the money.

 

[BMXTRIX]

It was mentioned that she would like to have this system installed...

This is going to be an issue of some sorts. Perhaps a big one.

The pricing we are giving is 'online' pricing. Dealers rarely are able to match online pricing, so you should expect to pay 10% more, at least, on any numbers given unless you find a dealer who is willing to work 100% with your purchased product. This is extremely rare as 10%-20% of their income revolves around the product they sell you... sometimes more.

Plus, you need to count on a proper installation taking two guys about two days to complete, so you will be paying for about 32 hours of qualified installation work. At 60 bucks an hour, which is a pretty good price, that's going to be about $1,920 for the installation, regardless of the product you get to go along with that.

It also will be very tough to find that dealer who is qualified and will do a good job with the installation and know how to help you out properly. (unless you are in DC - then you call me )

 

[lsiberian]

It was mentioned that she would like to have this system installed...

This is going to be an issue of some sorts. Perhaps a big one.

The pricing we are giving is 'online' pricing. Dealers rarely are able to match online pricing, so you should expect to pay 10% more, at least, on any numbers given unless you find a dealer who is willing to work 100% with your purchased product. This is extremely rare as 10%-20% of their income revolves around the product they sell you... sometimes more.

Plus, you need to count on a proper installation taking two guys about two days to complete, so you will be paying for about 32 hours of qualified installation work. At 60 bucks an hour, which is a pretty good price, that's going to be about $1,920 for the installation, regardless of the product you get to go along with that.

It also will be very tough to find that dealer who is qualified and will do a good job with the installation and know how to help you out properly. (unless you are in DC - then you call me )

It is certainly possible to setup a solid system without an installer, if you have tech savvy mind or tech savvy friend. A simple rear shelf based projector setup with a good fixed frame screen could work well. She could also use a large TV which I recommend for most non tech folks.

Doing a basic system might get her the most bang for the buck and she probably knows a tech savvy guy who would be willing to help her.

 

[majorloser]

It was mentioned that she would like to have this system installed...

This is going to be an issue of some sorts. Perhaps a big one.

The pricing we are giving is 'online' pricing. Dealers rarely are able to match online pricing, so you should expect to pay 10% more, at least, on any numbers given unless you find a dealer who is willing to work 100% with your purchased product. This is extremely rare as 10%-20% of their income revolves around the product they sell you... sometimes more.

Plus, you need to count on a proper installation taking two guys about two days to complete, so you will be paying for about 32 hours of qualified installation work. At 60 bucks an hour, which is a pretty good price, that's going to be about $1,920 for the installation, regardless of the product you get to go along with that.

It also will be very tough to find that dealer who is qualified and will do a good job with the installation and know how to help you out properly. (unless you are in DC - then you call me )

WOW, $60 per hour is damn cheap. That's like the "super duper friend rate. If she lives in a suburb area without many dealer/installers it will go up significantly with travel expenses. And then there's always the possible additional charges for design, integration, calibration and electrical work.

She also mentioned it was a basement. How finished is the basement? Does it have enough electrical service? Does it need moisture control? Sound isolation to the above floor? Is there equipment that needs to be sound isolated from the theater area (furnace, air handler, water heater)? What is the ceiling height?

And you know there will always be the suggested "optional work" and upgrades that will always need to get done for the job to work perfectly. Things like darker room painting, acoustic treatments, window treatments, lighting control, universal remotes, multi-zones, equipment upgrades, equipment racks, wire management, network integration for streaming media, etc. And she REALLY wants 3D.

So on top of the installation price, she'll need at least 10% to 15% contingency. In other words, the budget is weak for a pro install.

IMO, she needs to either find some good techy friends to help out, learn how to do the installation herself or budget more money for a professional installation.

 

[manwithnocape]

poor girl is getting so much info . takes me back to when i was a newbie.

 

[lsiberian]

poor girl is getting so much info . takes me back to when i was a newbie.

Bah you still are a newbie. Compared to the good doctor we are all newbies.